BJP, Congress supporters clash ahead of polling in Bastar district

Raipur: A clash broke out between supporters of BJP and Congress ahead of polling in naxal-hit Bastar district of Chhattisgarh on Monday, following which cases were registered against members of both the groups, police said.

Cases have been registered against Congress candidate from Jagdalpur Assembly constituency Shamu Kashyap and his associates and also against Sunil Bafna, a relative of BJP candidate Santosh Bafna, and his party workers in connection with the clash, a senior police official said.

According to police, the problem began after Shamu Kashyap and his associate Prince Sardar entered into a heated argument with supporters of BJP candidate Satosh Bafna in Madpal village under Nagarnar police station limits in the wee hours on Monday.

Congress alleged that BJP workers were carrying liquor in their vehicles for distribution among villagers in the region. When Shamu Kashyap and friends stopped them, the workers allegedly thrashed them badly, it said.

Congress claimed that Kashyap and his associates were injured in the clash and were admitted to a local hospital in Jagdalpur. For the sole general seat of Bastar region, Jagdalpur, BJP fielded sitting MLA Santosh Bafna while Congress chose a new face in Shamu Kashyap.

Polling in 18 constituencies of Bastar region and Rajnandgaon district is underway.